An extremely rare and unusual Palais Royal musical inkstand in the form of a barrel organ. The barrel with 18 finely engraved panels of mother of pearl within a frame of gilt bronze. The barrel rests upon a stand of gilt bronze in the form of a monkey standing on his hands. All the ormolu is entirely original and has not been re-gilded. To each side of the stand are rests upon which to place the ivory pens. Opening the barrel which is hinged to one end it reveals two inkwells decorated with guilloche enamel. By pressing a button the musical movement is activated and it is wound by key from the top beside one of the inkwells. All in perfect order. France circa 1820-30.